In our school we use the Writer's Workshop format designed by Lucy Calkins.

During each lesson students participate in a teacher-led mini lesson where they review previously taught skills and learn new ones. Then students head off to practice their writing. At the end of the writing time, students are brought back together for a writer's wrap-up meeting.

While writing, we ask students to remember the 5 steps of writing. We teach them to think about what they'd like to write about, draw or sketch a picture that represents that story, then add labels to the sketch. They also should be writing the words that match their sketch and editing to add details. Students become familiar with these 5 parts as Kindergarteners and follow the same steps as 1&2 graders.

Visit the official website of Lucy Calkins and the Reading & Writing Project here: